KARATE-DO

Karate-Do

Fullness Beyond the Emptiness of the Hand

Karate Do, an indigenous form of self-defense from Okinawa, has evolved over the centuries with the inspiration of Japanese and Chinese fighting arts to become one of the most popular and influential martial arts practiced by all ages worldwide.

Karate Do practitioners have the opportunity to share in and enjoy a muiltilayered physical and metaphysical experience on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery.

Modern-day Karate-Do was derived from interpretations of disguised classical self-defense techniques from Okinawa. Development of these techniques can be traced back to mainland China among other territories within the region. These techniques and the art that is comprised from them, evolved considerably during the 19th and early 20th century throughout several villages within Okinawa, most notably Shuri, Tomari and Naha. Some this art, viewed at the time as Okinawan Ti - 手Hand(s) or Toudi - 唐手Hand(s) of Tang/China comprised of the primary method of self defense for the Okinawan people against their occupation from Japan.

In 1936 there was a historic meeting between several of the more prominent masters of Okinawan Ti along with several dignitaries and authority figures of the island. This gathering was sought to lay the ground work for the future of the "Toude" throughout Okinawa. Induced within these discussion was a new name of the native Okinawan art and the term Karate-do - 空手道 was born.

Karate Do comes from many different forms of the various Okinawan arts. One line in particular was developed by a member of the 1936 committee by the name of Chotoku Kyan. Kyan Sensei was the son of a then prominent member of the Ryukyu Kingdom Royal Cabinet. This granted him the opportunity to learn from several prominent Shuri-Ti and Tormari-Ti masters over the course of many years. Through their teachings, and those of his father, Kyan Sensei develop a style of Karate-Do which would later be referred to as Shorin Ryu. While there are several versions of Shorin Ryu and Shorinji-ryu, it is the line developed from Kyan Sensei that serves as the framework for Chintokan Karate-Do. One of Kyan Sensei's foremost students Judan Hanshi Zenryo Shimabukuro continued on with the Kyan Shorin-Ryu lineage through the creation of his school "Seibukan."

Photo courtesy of the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society of 1936 historic meeting of prominent Masters of Okinawan ti

Benefits from a Long term Martial Arts Training:

Self discipline

Self confidence

Self defense

Improve Concentration, Awareness and Perception

Increase Stamina and Coordination

Build stronger Body, Mind and Spirit

Bring Balance to your life

"JKF" 全空連

Japan Karate do Federation (Zen Nihon Karate Do Renmei) is exclusive National Governing Body for the sport Karate-Do organization in Japan, formed primarily by the 4 Major Japanese Karate-do organizations known as Wado-Kai, Shito-Kai, Shoto-Kai and Goju-Kai as well as Renbukai and Rengokai, additional minor Japanese/Okinawa Karate-Do organizations in 1962, but reestablished in 1964. Soke Masaharu Sakimukai supported JKF directly since 1969 but its former organization since 1962.

RENBUKAI (Zen Nihon Karate do Renmei - Renbukai) 練武会

The origins of this organization date back to shortly after World War II (Sen Go - 戦後). In this period, there were many different Karate groups which hosted independent tournaments in Japan, and many of these tournaments were called the Nationals, International, or World championships. Since each tournament was organized and run by a different independent organization, each had its own rules and practices. In 1959, however, a new organization called the “All Japan Karate Do Federation” (Zen Nippon Karate do Renmei), was formed, led by Kanken Toyama’s group. This group evolved from a prior organization known as “Renbukan” which had previously been known as “Kanbukan,” and was established by Kanken Toyama’s students In Hey Jin and Kinjo Hiroshi. In 1959, the All Japan Karate Do Federation was established by Chairman Sai Choko, Vice Chairmen Yasuhiro Konishi (Shindo Jinen Ryu) and Kinjo Hiroshi (Kanbukan), and advisors Hironori Otsuka (Wado Ryu), Yamada Tatsuo (Nippon Kenpo), and Gima Makoto (Shotokan Ryu). The Federation therefore represented many of the major styles of Karate of the time, and this was a beginning of Bogu (protective gear) full contact karate competition. In 1962, Soke Masaharu Sakimukai was promoted to 4th Dan at this Federation's Nationals. Renbukai, this Federation was still promoting Dan by winning matches against higher ranks in 1962. This system was adopted from Judo.

Note that this is not the same organization as the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) mentioned above. When the new Japan Karate Federation (JKF) was established in 1964, the older group yielded the name and renamed their organization as the All Japan Karate Do Federation - Renbukai.

Founded by Soke M. Sakimukai with support from Shihan Zenji Shimabukuro the first Chintokan Karate-Do dojo was established in Osaka, Japan in 1962, young Sakimukai was 19 years old at the time.

Today, Dojocho T. Sakimukai is the Chairman of Kokusai Chintokan Karate-do Renmei, and with SoShihan Y. Sakimukai as the chief instructor continues to preserve and promote its founder Soke Sakimukai's legacy, a blend of classical Okinawa and Traditional Japanese Karate-do in Jacksonville, FL, USA.

Chintokan practitioners are bound together by the code of Budo, and the philosophy of Soke Sakimukai, a direct lineage of the Chotoku Kyan's Okinawa Shorin-Ryu via Judan Hanshi Zenryo Shimabukuro.